Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re matching a drawing or sourcing a new spool size, you need clear answers fast. Here’s what wire and cable manufacturers ask us most about ordering, lead times, materials, and shipping for our plastic spools, fiberboard spools, and plywood reels, all made in Piqua, Ohio.

About P&R Specialty

What does P&R stand for?

P&R stands for Prompt and Reliable.

Where is P&R Specialty located?

We’re located in Piqua, Ohio, about 20–25 minutes north of Dayton.

Are your spools made in the USA?

Yes. All of our spools are made at our facility in Piqua, Ohio. We’re proud to produce our products right here in the USA.

Is P&R Specialty ISO certified?

Yes. P&R Specialty is ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Getting Started & Placing an Order

What do I need to provide to become a customer of P&R Specialty?

To get set up as a customer, we’ll need:

  • Contact name, email address, and phone number
  • Accounting contact name, email address, and phone number
  • Ship-to and bill-to locations
  • A completed P&R Specialty Credit Application, if Net 30 terms are needed (we can provide this)

What do I need to provide to get a quote?

To put together a quote, we’ll need:

  • The ship-to location for the order
  • The spool or reel you’d like to purchase, and quantity
    • If you’re not sure which spool or reel fits your needs, just let us know the approximate size you’re looking for and what material will be wound onto it. We’ll check our stocked product line for a match or explore a custom option.
  • Any special requirements for your spool or reel
  • Freight details, if needed (dock availability, lift-gate, appointment scheduling, military or special clearance requirements, etc.)

How long does it take to receive an order once it's placed?

If the spools you need are in stock, orders typically ship within 24–48 hours. If they’re not currently in stock, our team will provide an ETA — most non-stocked orders ship within two weeks or less.

Do you keep spools in stock, or are they made to order?

Most plastic spools are kept in stock and can ship within 24–48 hours of receiving a PO. Fiberboard and wood reels are typically made to order, and our team will provide a lead time with your quote.

Can I request sample spools before placing a full order?

Yes. To request samples, just let us know:

  • Ship-to location
  • Contact name, email, and phone number
  • Which spools you’d like to sample and how many you need for testing
  • Your UPS account number, so we can get the samples shipped to you

Products & Materials

What are the flange, traverse, diameter, and arbor hole of a spool, and why do they matter?

These terms describe the key dimensions of a spool or reel, and knowing them helps us recommend or design the right product for your application:

  • Flange – the outer circular disc on either side of the spool or reel
  • Traverse – the inside distance between the two flanges
  • Barrel Diameter – the diameter of the core, where material is wound directly
  • Arbor Hole (also called a “Bore Hole”) – the hole in the center of the flange used to mount the spool on a shaft
  • Drive Hole – an off-center hole designed to work with a drive pin or lug on certain winding machines

What materials/resins do you offer, and which is strongest?

We work with several resins depending on the strength and flexibility your application requires:

  • PC (Polycarbonate) – strongest option
  • PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – strong, versatile blend
  • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
  • HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)
  • PP (Polypropylene) – the most flexible option

In order of strength: PC is the strongest, followed by PC/ABS, ABS, HIPS, and finally PP.

What's the difference between plastic, fiberboard, and plywood reels — and how do I choose?

The right material depends on your specific application. What you’re winding onto the spool, where it will be stored (indoors vs. outdoors/exposed to the elements), the weight it needs to support, durability requirements, size, cost, and recyclability all play a role. Our team can help walk through your needs and recommend the best fit.

Can plastic spools be made in a color other than black?

Yes. While black is our standard, we can produce plastic spools in other colors. Reach out to our team to discuss your color needs, and we’ll put together a quote.

Manufacturing & Quality

What happens if a mold or machine breaks — can you fix it on-site to avoid downtime?

Yes. Our in-house tool and mold department can respond quickly to fix issues as they come up. Combined with routine maintenance and checks on all molds in use, this allows us to keep production running with little to no downtime.

Shipping & Documentation

Do you offer shipping if we don't have a dedicated carrier?

Yes. If you don’t have a carrier of your own, we can provide a shipping quote through one of our LTL (less-than-truckload) or FTL (full-truckload) carrier partners. If you accept the quote, that cost will be added to your invoice.

Can you provide USMCA documentation for cross-border or overseas shipments?

Yes. Our customer service team can provide USMCA documentation as needed for your shipments.

Don’t See Your Question?

Reach out. We’ll respond promptly to help you find the right fit or to put together a quote.

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